TV

Yellowstone Without Kevin Costner Is Like The Sopranos Without James Gandolfini, Fans Say

Yellowstone Without Kevin Costner Is Like The Sopranos Without James Gandolfini, Fans Say
Image credit: HBO, Paramount+

Is it actually good that Yellowstone ends with season 5?

Summary:

  • Yellowstone is nearing its conclusion in season 5.
  • Kevin Costner, who played John Dutton, is leaving the show due to creative issues.
  • There is uncertainty about whether Costner will appear in Part 2 of season 5.
  • Fans are concerned that the show may lose its essence without Costner.

Yellowstone, the acclaimed and beloved series about a Montana landowner John Dutton and his family's struggles, is close to its conclusion. Arguably the biggest reason to end the show on its fifth season was the news that Kevin Costner, who brilliantly portrayed John Dutton, would be leaving the show.

It stirred a wave of reactions among its loyal audience, and many fans of the show are convinced that without Costner, the show wouldn’t be the same anyway.

Why Did Kevin Costner Decide to Leave Yellowstone?

It was reported previously this year that Kevin Costner found himself at odds with the show's creator, Taylor Sheridan, over scheduling conflicts. The core issue revolved around Costner's dedication to his passion project, Horizon: An American West, a dream that had been in the making for 35 years.

Yellowstone Without Kevin Costner Is Like The Sopranos Without James Gandolfini, Fans Say - image 1

This conflict led to a complicated negotiation about Costner's involvement in Yellowstone, with Costner expressing that there were creative issues and an inability to break the deadlock (via Independent).

Are We Sure That Kevin Costner Won’t Appear in Part 2 of Season 5?

As of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding Costner's participation in the new episodes of Yellowstone season 5 Part 2.

Yellowstone Without Kevin Costner Is Like The Sopranos Without James Gandolfini, Fans Say - image 2

Even though things are up in the air, a lot of viewers think that Costner's character in the show, being the main character and the governor of Montana, really makes it hard to picture the rest of the season without him.

Fans Are Convinced Yellowstone Without Kevin Costner Makes Very Little Sense

Can you imagine The Sopranos without James Gandolfini? Hardly. This comparison, posted by a fan on Reddit, perfectly sums up the idea. Many fans strongly believe that without Costner, the show might lose its essence.

We know that season 5 is the final season. For many of us, it’s bad news, but let’s be honest: without Costner, season 6 would significantly lose its popularity compared to the previous seasons.

Yellowstone Without Kevin Costner Is Like The Sopranos Without James Gandolfini, Fans Say - image 3

But there's still a real concern among fans that the show might rush towards a conclusion without Costner. A sudden-death plotline for John Dutton (if Costner doesn’t return for the final episodes), is not sitting well with many.

Fans are hoping for a more thoughtful approach, maybe even leaving the show open-ended for a while.

Could Yellowstone survive and thrive without Kevin Costner?

Sources: Independent, Reddit